Fuel-supply device



c. F. KETTERING.

FUEL SUPPLY DEVICE. APPucmoN FILED SEPT. 23, 1918.

1 ,410,682. Patent-ed Mar- 28, 1922.

, 3 SHhETS-SHEET 2- mp C. F. KETTERING.

FUEL SUPPLY DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 23. I918.

Patented Mar. 28, 19 22.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

m2 M5 A50 M21772 5;; v I 151 5272?! 75 z fafg zs DELCQ-LIGHT OGMPAJLYTY, F DAYTON, OHIU, A GURJPUR TION OF DELAWARE.

rein-surety nnvrcn.

' To oZZ whom it may) concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES F. KETTER- ING, a citizen of the United StatesotAmer ica residing at Dayton, county of Montgomery, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fuel-Supply Devices, of which the "following is a full clear, and exact description.

This invention'relates to devices for-sup ie like. u v One 01 the objects of the invention is to provide electrically operated means controlled by the operation of the engine for causing the delivery of fuel from a source ot supply to a fuel reservoir from whence. the fuel is sucked directly into the engine at each intake stroke thereof. One manner of carrying out this object consists in providing an electro-magnetic fuel pump including a magnet which is. energized intermittently with the operation of the engine.

A further objectof the invention is to provide a unitary structure including a fuel reservoir. andelectrically operated devices for effecting the delivery of fuel from a source of supply, toth'e tuel reservoir from whence the fuel is suclted into the engine.

A furtherohject is to'provide a unitary structure including electricaldevices for coir trollingthe delivery of thetuel charge to the engine in accordance with the operation of the engine. f

it further object of the invention is to proride. in connection with an engine having a breather associated with the crank case and a fuel charge intake, a unitary structure which will serve as a connection between the breather and. tuel intake and which will include a fuel reservoir. a mixing chamber and'devices for controlling the delivery of fuel to the fuel reservoir, and for controlling the delivery of fuel charge to the engine intake.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will he apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanymgdrawing, wherein cerated with the W tain embodiments of the invention are shown. Referring to the drawings: 7 Fig. l is an end view of an internal comhustion engine showing the present invention applied thereto together with a wiring diagram of cert; lectrical devices associ' Specification of Letters Patent.

I the admission of air.-

uel to internal combustion engines Patented Man 28, 1922.

Application filed. se tember as, 1918. serial No. 255,2ee

Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing on an enlarged scale the fuel supply and controlling devices shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. '3 is a sectional View taken on 'line 3--3 showing the throttle valve.

'Fig. 4C, the view taken on the line 4% of Fig. 2, showing the valve for controlling Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a modified form ofthe invention together with a wiring diagram of electrical devices associated with this-form of th invention and with the engine with which the invention is associated.

Referring to Fig. l, designates an internal combustion engine provided with a fly-wheel 21 which cooperates with the cylinder, not shown. Said engine 20 is provided with a breather 22, which is connected at the lower end with a crank case 23, and the upper end with the fuel supply device 50, to be described. Said device 50 is connected with the intake pipe 24 of the engine. As will be explained later, the breather 22 and the member 50 provide passages from the interior of the crank case and from the outside atmosphere to the engine intake.-

The fly-wheel 21 is provided with a pulley 25 which is connected hy means of a belt .26 with the armature 27 of the generator 28. ln general practice, it is usual td connect the armature directly with the crank shaft of the engine, but the belt connection is shown merely for purposes of illustration. The armature 27 is connected by wires 29 and 30 with the storage battery 31. and the shunt field winding 32 is connected across the wires 29 and 30. Wire 29 is connected by wire 33 crank shaft hy gear not shown.

Referring to 9/ indicates as a whole, a unitary structure comprising members 51 52 and 53 which may he termed. oi

cast metal and suitahly joined together bottom wall 65 or the reservoir 6 1.

a single structure.

it?) is provided with inner and o i 22 and 22 directly with the crank case of and leads into pa 1-, tornnc member 51. The 22 sn shell 22 and assage w iicates with the outside zl'tLfiSPllGTl-B breathers forms no part of the present invention but is uescribed and claimedinm r 7 co-pending application Serial No. 14:6,825, tiled February 5th, 1918. provided with avalve seat 56 having ports fiat valve 58 having ports 59 is pivotally mounted upon the valve seat 56 by i s of screw 60.

'he member 52 is provided with a pase 1 which forms a continuation of the and said passage 61 leads up- V restricted passage 62 which s outwardly into a larger passage 63 which forms a mixing chamber in which the fuel charge is mixed with the air entering assage 61. The member 52 is provided a cl amber (5-1 which will be known as cl reservoir. The bottom of wall 65 e reservoir is provided with a down ally projecting postbG, around which is naced a solenoid magnet 67. @ne terminal by the wire 69 with wire 36". T he post 60 is bored out centrally to term a passage 7 0 which extends into a recess 71 formed in the A valve 72 having a notched flange is located within the recess and is yieldingly held-in position by means of a spring 73 interposed between the valve 72 and a plug 'Yt mounted in the up; or wall 75 of the reservoir or. The

. pump intake pipe 76 is secured upon the lower end of the post 66 and serves to support a plate 77 clinch-magnetic material,

upon which the magnet 67 rests. The member is made of magnetic material and the pipe-76 of non-magnetic material. solenoid armatureTS acting a pump displacement member. is mounted to slide up and down within the 'petG which serves as the pump cylinder. (id armature 78 is bored out centrally to am a passage 59.. and a spring 80 is interposed between a shoulder 81 formed in the post 66; and a shoulder 82 formed within armature 78. This spring 80 serves to yieldingly maintain the armature in the Downward position, shown in ball checlr valve 83 located in the pass:' '19 serves normally to maintain said e closer. 1 "(t3 cleaned.

The member 51 is gnet 6"? is connected by wire 68 with wire 38, and the other terminal 15 connected l l v a v ill/CD. 561 18S We I ns of pipe Sc ion or the reserv. across the passage 61, in or restricted'passage {32. A plug passages and. 91 provides a connection between theffuel rcservo the mixing chamber 63. By securinc plugin the manner shown, it can be read removed so that the passages may be easi v V v vides a housing 96 for a solenoid magnet; S 4.

The bottom or the housing 96 is closed by plate 98 01 non-magnetic material, provided with a central aperture 99 through which slides a solenoid armature 100. One terminal of the magnet 00 is connected by means of a wire 109 With wire 38, and the other terminal by means of wire 110 with wire 29.

The casting member 53 is provided with a circular recess 101 in which is located valve seat 102. which is provided with ports 103, which are segmental in shape. r-lvalve 101; which is attached to the armature 100 is pro-- vided with segmental ports and is located in the recess 101 and coopera es with the valve seat 102. The member 53 is pro vided with an auxiliary air valve 106, which is yieldingly maintained against a valve seat 107 by means of a spring 108. Valve 106 is located between valve 104; and the engine, so that the control of the air adn tted by valve 106 will not be modified by the action of valve 10a. Q

The operation of this torm the invention is as tollowsfrts the engine operates the cam l3 will intermittently cause the opening and permit the closing of contacts 3% and 35. When the closing takes place current will flow through the wire 33, con tact 3e, contact 35. wire primary ignition coil winding 37, wire 38, back to the wire 30. The coil 37 will be energized, and create a magnetic field in the region of the secondary winding 39. The closing of the contacts 234i and will also effect the ener gizingot the solenoid magnet 67, thereby causing the armature 78 to' be attracted. Each revolution of cam 43 will effect the separation of contacts 34 and 35, thereby causing an interruption of the flow to the primary winding 37 in order to create a sparking impluse in the secondary winding; 39, which istransmitted by wire ll the spark plug The separatio' tacts 3 and 85 will also inte of current to the magnet '67, and will be demagnetized. When the 80 will. force the misses into the lowermost position, as viewed in Fig.2. Thus it will be seen that for every revolution of the cam 13, the solenoid armature 78 will move up and down. The up ward movement ot'the armature 78 will,

cause any liquid which is contained in the passages 70 and 79 to be moved upwardly, and the pressure of the said llquid will maintain the valve 83 in position on its seat and will lift the valve 72 011 its seat and cause some of the liquid to flow into the reservoir 64;. Upon the downward move ment of the armature 79, the valve 72 will return to its seated positionand the ball valve 83 will be lifted to permit more liquid to enter the passages 70 and 791' Thus it 'will be seen that the up and down movei where the passage 62 flares out into the mixing chamber 63, a sucking action will be producedby the air as it rushes past the passages 91, thereby causing fuel to rise from the reservoir (it up through the passage 90, and to flow out through the passages 91. This fuel will mix with the air in the mixing chamber 68 and will flow out through the. openings 103 and 105, formed in thevalve seat 102 and'the valve 104:, and into the intake 24 of the engine. ll hen the speed of the engine exceeds a certain amount the voltage between the wires 29 and 30 will exceed a certain value, and the magnet 96 will be energized sutliciently to begin to draw up the armature 100, thereby causing the valve 104 move with relation-to the valve seat 102, so as to begin to close the passageitor the :tuel into the engine. [is the engine tends torotate faster, the voltage will increase still further and cause the valve 101 to cut down the supply ct fuel to the engine, and thus cause the, engine to decrease in speed. lihe auxiliary valve 106,.also has a governing effect by opening at a predetermined engine speed'and cut down the richness of the fuel mixture. The amount of air entering the passage 61 1S determined by the positlonol the valve 58.

Thus it will be seen in the foregoing de scription that there has been provided an electrically operated fuel pump of very simple construction, the movements of which are controlled by the action of the engine so that the fuel is pumped up from the source of supply when the engine is running, and only sutlicient quantities are re-- tained in the reservoir to supply the engine with the required amount of fuel, according to the speed at which the engine is running. There has been provided ta unitary structure which includes the pumpand a carburetor or mixing chamber, and an automatic throttle valve controlled by the operation of the engine ior limiting the speed of the engine to a certain predetermined value.

Referring to Fig. 5, showing a modified form of the invention, a hollow sleeve 120 of non-magnetic material has screw threaded engagement with the lower wall of the resert oir 6 1. The lower end of sleeve 120 supports a plate 120 of magnetic material, and is secured to the fuel intake pipe 76. A'solenoid magnet 121 surrounds the upper end of the sleeve 120. One terminal of said magnet 121 is connected by wire 122 with wire 29',and the other terminal is connected by wire 123 with a switch contact 12 1, which cooperates with switch contact 125. Contact 125 is connected bywire 126 to wire 30. A second solenoid magnet 127 surrounds the lower end of the sleeve 120 and one terminal or said magnet 127 is connected by wire 128 with wire 36, and the other terminal is connected by wire 129 with wire 38. l t ithin the upper end of the sleeve 120 is placed a hollow plug 130 of magnetic material, and within the lower end of the sleeve 120 is placed a hollow plug 131' of magnetic material provided with a recess 132. The space in the sleeve 120, between the lower end of the plug 130 and the upper end 01 the plug 131 serves as a pump cylinder and is partially occupied by an armature 138, which serves as a displacement member. ll ashers 134: and 135 o'ijnon-magnetic material are interposed between the armature 183 and the plugs 130 and 131. The sum or" the length of the armature 133 and the thickness of he washers 13% and 135 is less than the distance between the plugs 130 and 1311, thereby permitting a certain amount of up and down movement of the armature 133. Said armature 133 is provided with a recess 136 in which is located a valve 137, similar in construction to valve 72. Valve 1371s yieldingly maintained in position by means of a spring 138, inter posed between said valve 187 and the washer 13 1. The armature 133 is provided with a recess 139 in which is located one end of the spring 1410 which serves normally to maintain a valve 111, similar to valve 137, within the recess 132 of the plug 131. In this form of the invention, the timer is provided with an extra set of contacts 124 and 125, as shown in 1 1g. 5, when the cam 1413 permits the engagement of the contacts 12% JLL' tile provisions for conducting fuel across contact and 125,.curn

'nianncr, and the magnet 12? will also be energized to etlect the downward movement of armature 133. l l hen this 'movement takes place the valve 14-1 will be maintained on its sea and the valve 137 Will be moved away from its seat, due to the displacement oi liquid by the downward movement of the armature 133. 'l. he Washers oi non-magnetic material 13- and 135 serve to maintain av gap between the armature and the cores 130 and 131, in either position of said armature. -Thus it will be seen that "for each rotation of the cam 41-3, an up and down movement will be irn rted to the armature 1233,

thereby causing the elevationot a certai amount of liquid from the fuel supply tank The pumping action on [O the reset-venue. of the engine \v cause air to pass through passages 161, and 163; and, at the juncture of the passages 162 and 163, fuel will be drawn out through the small hole 150, which connects with the passage 151 leading to the reservoir A by-pass 155 is provided soithat a certain quantity of air may be taken in passing thevalve 10%, Without passing through the mixing chamber lihile the forms oi mechanisms herein shovvn and described constitute preferred "forms of embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming Within the scope the claims which follow:

1. In a device of the kind combination with an internal combustion en'- gine having an intake; of a unitary structure including a passage for air into the intake, an electrically operated pump, and

from the outlet or the pump to the air passage whereby the fuel may be mixed vvith air before passing to the engine,

2. In a device of the kind described, the combination with an internal combustion enine having an intake; ot a unitary structure includin a passage for air into the intake, an electrically operated fuel pump adapted to be connected with a source of fuel suppl a fuel reservoir connected with fuel pump, and having an overflow passage adapted to be connected with the source contacts and v the engine.

described, theand provisio s engine. 1d described, the cruel combustion b is. in a novice oft l combination with an enginge having an int 1e; oi unita"- structure including a for air l! the intake, an electrically operated fuel pump, provisions for conducting Fuel from the pump to the air passage whereby the air may be charged with fuel betore yassing to the engine, and an automatic throttle valve controlled by the mperationot the engine to limit the amount of fuel charge delivered to l. in a device of the kind described, the

combination With an internal combustion engine having an intake and a breather associated with the crank case of theengine and adapted to be connected with the intake; of a unitary structure adapted to serve as a closure for the breather and provided with a passage from the breather to the 1ntake,

said unitary structure also including an elec trical fuel pump and provision tor conductin fuel from the pump to the passage whereby the air may be charged with fuel before being delivered to the engine.

5. In a device of the kind described, the combination with an internal combustion engine having an intake and a breather as sociated with the crank adapted to be connected with the engine intake; of a unitary structure adapted to serv i a closure for the breather, and provided with a par:- sage from the breather to the intake, said structure also including an electric fuel pump, provisions for conductin fuel from the pump outlet to the passage, an automatic throttle valve controll d by the operation of the engine for limi ing the amount of fuel charge delivered to the engine at a given speed, and a manually controlled valve for controlling the amount of air delivered from the breather to the air passage in said structure.

6. in a device of thekind described,- the combination with an internal combustion engine having an intake and a fuel source; of a unitary structure having a passage for air into the engine intake, said assage including a mixing chamber, said structure including a fuel reservoir connected with the mixing chamber and electrical devices controlled by the operation of the engine for causing fuel to be pumped from the fuel source to the fuel reservoir.

7. in a device of the kind described, the combination with an internal combustion engine having an intake and generator driven by-the engine; of a unitary structure having a passage for air to the on his, said for supplying the mixing chamber with fuel, and electromagnetic means controlled by the generator for automatically limitin the amount of fuel charge delivered to t e engine at a given speed.

8. In a. device of the kind described, the combination with an internal combustion engine having an intake; of a unitary structure including a passage for airinto the intake, a fuel reservoir, a. passage for fuel from the fuel reservoir to the air passage, a pump housing an end wall of which includes a portion of the bottom wall of the reservoir, an electromagnet located within the housing, a. magnetic core located within said housing and provided with a fuel passage therethrough communicating with the reservoir,

a displacement chamber locatedadjacent' said core and having a fuel inlet passage, a

displacement member having a passage therethrough; and valves controlling the passages.

9. In a device of the kind described, the combination with an internal combustion engine having an intake .and a generator driven by the engine; of a unitary structure having a fuel reservoir; an air passage,'a passage from the reservoir to the air passage, magnet housings located along the sides of the air passage, a throttle valve controlling the intake and associated with electromagnetic controlling means connected with the generator and located within one of the magnet housings, and an electric fuel pump including an electro-magnet controlled by the engine located within the other magnet housing, said pump communicating with the fuel reservoir.

10. In a device of the kind described, the combination with an internal combustion engine having anintake and a generator drivon by the engine; of a unitary structure having an air passage, magnet housings located along the sides of the air assage, a throttle valve controlling the inta e associated with electromagnetic controlling means connected with the generator and'located within one of the magnet housings, and an electric fuel pump including an electro-magnet controlled by the engine located within the other magnet housing, said pump communicating with the airpassage.

11. In a device of the kind described, the combination with an engine having an intake, of a unitary structure comprising an air passage, an electrically operated fuel pump, and removable means for conducting the fuel from the pumpto the air passage.

12. In a device of the kind described, the combination with an engine having an intake; of a unitary structure comprising an air passage, a fuel reservoir, an electrically operated pump adapted to supply fuel to the reservoir, and removable means for conducting the fuel from the reservoir to the air passage.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES F. KETTERING.

lVitnesses:

J. MCDONALD, H. E. SOLLENBERGER. 

